WWE Monday Night Raw Recap: The Road to WrestleMania Continues

With the road to WrestleMania approaching this Sunday, the Monday, April 1 edition of WWE Raw began with a video package heavily hyping Shawn Michaels' return.

Monday Night Raw, which was live from Washington, D.C., opened with John Cena—who drew a strong mixed reaction from the audience—coming out to the ring. As Cena's music stopped, the former WWE Champion was met with a loud chorus of boos instead of cheers.

Cena spoke about the focus on WrestleMania and turned his attention to The Rock. He pointed out that The Rock has lived up to his promise to become the WWE Champion once more. However, Cena promised that The Rock's era will come to an end at WrestleMania, which was met to another string of negative reaction and a "boring" chant from the crowd.

Cena concluded by saying he will shock everyone and become the new WWE Champion.

After the match, The Shield arrive through the crowd. However, instead of making their way to the ring, the group stayed on the stairway, taunting Orton, Sheamus and the Big Show.

It was a decent opening match that was rather quick. 3MB continues to prove as a worthless tag team thus far, and they continue to rack up losses instead of being in competitive matches. Another "boring" chant broke out while The Shield were making their promo.

Match Rating: 2/5.

A video package played of Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger speaking outside the United States Capitol. Backstage, Alberto Del Rio responded to Colter and Swagger's video.

Ziggler applying a sleeper hold on Bryan. (Photo credit: WWE.com)

Match No. 2: Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler.

Your winner via pin fall: Dolph Ziggler.

Impressive match between Bryan and Ziggler, as both really put forth their best efforts right before WrestleMania. Big E Langston also made a big splash on Raw by taking out Bryan and Kane with ease after Ziggler's victory.

Match Rating: 3.5/5.

Michaels returned to Monday Night Raw by coming out to the ring. The retired wrestler said he was on Raw for one WrestleMania match in particular, which was Triple H against Brock Lesnar.

Triple H interrupted Michaels and told him he understands what is at stake at WrestleMania. Michaels offers a different perspective and gave Triple H advice going into his match. Suddenly, Lesnar and manager Paul Heyman arrive to the entrance way.

Heyman, who spoke for Lesnar, told Triple H that he will disappoint everyone in the WWE.

Match No. 3: Wade Barrett vs. Zack Ryder.

Your winner via pin fall: Wade Barrett.

Poor Ryder—he cannot seem to get his break in the WWE. Unfortunately, this match never clicked into high gear.

Match Rating: 1.5/5.

Match No. 4: SantinoMarella vs. Mark Henry.

Your winner via pin fall: Mark Henry.

A very quick squash match, as Marella had absolutely no chance to pull an upset.

Match Rating: 1/5.

Match No. 5: Zeb Colter vs. Alberto Del Rio.

Your winner via disqualification: Alberto Del Rio.

Quickly after the match ended in disqualification, Colter and Swagger attacked Del Rio with two crutches in the middle of the ring. The beat down on Del Rio was essentially all that happened during the match.

Match Rating: 0.5/5.

After a commercial break, The Rock made his way to the ring. He said WrestleMania is not about Cena winning, but rather him failing to capture the WWE Championship. He tells the crowd that Cena's time as WWE Champion will not happen at WrestleMania.

Jericho hitting Cesaro with a leg drop. (Photo credit: WWE.com)

Match No. 6: Antonio Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho.

Your winner via pin fall: Chris Jericho.

After the victory, Fandango attacked Jericho with two leg drops from the top turnbuckle.

Pretty solid match, as the WWE set up the Jericho and Fandango match nicely with the post-victory attack.

Match Rating: 3/5.

Match No. 7: Cameron and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins.

Your winners via pin fall: The Bella Twins.

Another filler match to lead into the main event segment on Monday Night Raw.

Match Rating: 2.5/5.

The Rock holding the belt on Raw. (Photo credit: WWE.com)

As Raw drew closer to the end, The Undertaker made his entrance and headed towards the ring. The Undertaker began to discuss about CM Punk and his recent actions against the late Paul Bearer.

While The Undertaker was speaking, music played and a crew of people surrounded the entrance way. Heyman, who was dressed up as Bearer, got The Undertaker's attention by forcing him to the entrance way. Punk took off his black robe and attacked The Undertaker with the golden urn as Raw faded to black.